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| Iraq protests: 24 dead as mass unrest descends into violence | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 24 people have been killed in Iraq during a fresh wave of anti-government protests that have descended into violence. | |
| Two of the dead were reportedly hit by tear gas canisters fired by security forces in the capital Baghdad. | Two of the dead were reportedly hit by tear gas canisters fired by security forces in the capital Baghdad. |
| Reports say half of the victims were killed while trying to storm a militia group's offices in two southern cities. | Reports say half of the victims were killed while trying to storm a militia group's offices in two southern cities. |
| Hundreds of people have been injured in nationwide protests that erupted on Friday, reports say. | |
| Protesters are demanding more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption. | Protesters are demanding more jobs, better public services and an end to corruption. |
| Similar protests earlier this month were brutally put down by security forces, leaving nearly 150 people dead. | Similar protests earlier this month were brutally put down by security forces, leaving nearly 150 people dead. |
| A government report has acknowledged that authorities used excessive force in quelling that unrest. | A government report has acknowledged that authorities used excessive force in quelling that unrest. |
| Ahead of the latest protests, Iraq's leading clerics and the United Nations issued calls for restraint. | |
| A day earlier Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who took office a year ago on Friday, warned protesters that violence would not be tolerated. | A day earlier Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, who took office a year ago on Friday, warned protesters that violence would not be tolerated. |
| He has promised a cabinet reshuffle and a package of reforms to address protesters' demands but many remain unconvinced. | He has promised a cabinet reshuffle and a package of reforms to address protesters' demands but many remain unconvinced. |
| What's the latest? | What's the latest? |
| Hundreds of protesters gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Friday morning. | Hundreds of protesters gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Friday morning. |
| When some tried to enter the Green Zone, where government buildings are based, security forces used tear gas to drive them back. | When some tried to enter the Green Zone, where government buildings are based, security forces used tear gas to drive them back. |
| Police and medical sources told Reuters news agency that two demonstrators had died after being struck by tear gas canisters. | Police and medical sources told Reuters news agency that two demonstrators had died after being struck by tear gas canisters. |
| About 1,800 people, the sources added, were wounded in protests nationwide. | About 1,800 people, the sources added, were wounded in protests nationwide. |
| There is no official confirmation of the figures. However, pictures from Baghdad did show at least one person, apparently hit by a canister, lying motionless on the street. | There is no official confirmation of the figures. However, pictures from Baghdad did show at least one person, apparently hit by a canister, lying motionless on the street. |
| The Iraqi interior ministry said 68 members of the security forces were injured across the country. | The Iraqi interior ministry said 68 members of the security forces were injured across the country. |
| The government's handling of the protests this month has fuelled discontent across Iraq, with political leaders facing calls to resign. | The government's handling of the protests this month has fuelled discontent across Iraq, with political leaders facing calls to resign. |
| "We're not hungry, we want dignity," shouted one marcher. Another said that Iraq's politicians had "monopolised all the resources". | "We're not hungry, we want dignity," shouted one marcher. Another said that Iraq's politicians had "monopolised all the resources". |
| Protesters have called on the Shia-led government to overhaul Iraq's sectarian political system, in which power is shared along religious and ethnic lines. | Protesters have called on the Shia-led government to overhaul Iraq's sectarian political system, in which power is shared along religious and ethnic lines. |
| Elsewhere, as unrest spread through Iraq's southern cities: | Elsewhere, as unrest spread through Iraq's southern cities: |
| What's the background? | What's the background? |
| The protests started in Baghdad on 1 October. Most of those taking part were young and unemployed. | The protests started in Baghdad on 1 October. Most of those taking part were young and unemployed. |
| After security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators, the unrest escalated and spread to other cities and towns. | After security forces used live ammunition against demonstrators, the unrest escalated and spread to other cities and towns. |
| A government committee that was tasked with investigating the violence said 149 civilians and eight security personnel had been killed in protests between 1 and 6 October. | A government committee that was tasked with investigating the violence said 149 civilians and eight security personnel had been killed in protests between 1 and 6 October. |
| The committee concluded that "officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests" and that this "caused chaos". | The committee concluded that "officers and commanders lost control over their forces during the protests" and that this "caused chaos". |